Cindy Poluta shared a heartbreaking tale of how her friend and morning companion had died without her knowledge and how she faces mornings without him now.
Johannesburg, South Africa (21 February 2020) – Before we even start, go and get a tissue and prepare to sob. This story is heartbreaking, you will have a proper cry but you will also feel a love like never before. This story is about a friendship between two people who met on a very cold morning three years ago.
Three years ago, Cindy Poluta picked up Alfred on her way to work. It was a very cold winter’s morning and she took a chance to do a good deed for someone else. Alfred was grateful for the lift and they struck up a conversation. The next morning, Cindy saw Alfred again and offered him a lift once more.
“We chatted about soccer – but always about the weather. Did we think winter was coming? When was winter coming? Was this winter as cold as the last one. I had a vague idea where he lived as I once bumped into him at the local Spar, and on days when it was pouring I’d adjust my route to try pick him up earlier.”
Over the course of the three years, the two developed a friendship, talking about life and their families. Alfred would always let Cindy know if he wouldn’t be going to work because he was so scared she would stop, thinking it was him and get attacked.
At the start of February, Cindy set off on her morning commute but Alfred wasn’t where he usually waited. She thought it was odd because he hadn’t told her he wasn’t going to work. After two weeks, Cindy couldn’t handle not knowing and drove to his place of work to ask about him.
This was the 14th of February 2020. She walked in, asked after him at reception and received the devastating news that he had been murdered. She broke down, shocked by the news and devastated by the loss of her dear friend.
The heartache was too much, Cindy needed to share her grief and so she wrote about their friendship on Twitter. The thread detailed the growth of their friendship and how the very first December, Alfred gave her a Christmas gift.
Cindy and Alfred’s story warmed the hearts of so many people. It is a friendship we can all hope to hold in our own hearts someday. This is their story:
So I opened the window and offered him a lift. He didn’t work at the Shell, turns out he worked at the Crowne Plaza. Every morning I would drop him on Jan Smuts. I would turn left to go to work and he would walk up into Rosebank towards the hotel.
— Cindy Poluta (@CindyPoluta) February 14, 2020
route to try pick him up earlier. I learned he had a grandson, his wife was a domestic worker in my area and his daughter lived in Soweto. On weekends he would go to Soweto so I never saw him on a Monday.
This has been a routine for about 3 years now. Our first December, on my— Cindy Poluta (@CindyPoluta) February 14, 2020
Alfred touched her heart with his generosity and thoughtfulness.
gift exchange. Something for each person in my family. But the Christmas notes were my best, sincere thanks for lifting him each day. He claimed had I not lifted him, the cold winters would have got him.
So touching.
I haven’t seen him the last 2 weeks, his phone is off & he’d— Cindy Poluta (@CindyPoluta) February 14, 2020
My friend Alfred, was mugged & stabbed in Soweto
I collapsed. Shattered.
Inconsolable.
The kindest person.
My morning companion is no longer.
I only saw him for 5 minutes a day. But he occupied a space in my heart
And I don’t even know where to start to find his wife Aggi— Cindy Poluta (@CindyPoluta) February 14, 2020
All I know is she worked in a house in Linden, either 6th or 8th Street.
Somewhere between 3rd and 4th avenue…..
I just want to meet her.
Tell her I’m so sorry.
Tell her he mattered. His life mattered.
My morning drive will never be the same. Ever.#RIPAlfred— Cindy Poluta (@CindyPoluta) February 14, 2020
After finding out about Alfred’s passing, Cindy hoped to meet his wife and thanks to social media, they were connected, and Cindy was able to share her condolences with Alfred’s family.
“My bones have left my body, my soul mate, love of my life is gone. He was always by my side, he didn’t deserve to die like that. Everybody misses him.” – Aggy
We cried long & hard.
She is so grateful for all the messages.
If only just he was here to see it all#ripalfred pic.twitter.com/5zx2vHHR1E— Cindy Poluta (@CindyPoluta) February 19, 2020
Cindy took her first drive to work without him yesterday and shared all the memories they made together. You can watch it below.
Rest in peace Mmangaliseni ‘Alfred’ Goge, you will be remembered by the friendship you gave and the love you have shared with the South African people.
by 